Free Redemption by Lindsey Gray Page B

steady herself, suddenly feeling more than a little off balance. She picked up the ring to notice the extraordinarily familiar scroll on the note.

    She ran around frantically searching the house. His scent was everywhere. Is this who Peter had meant? She was sure; her Ryan had been there. The ache that consumed her body raged at the thought she might be able to hold her Ryan again. She took the pillow from her bed and wrapped herself around it; lying in the dark as she let the memories slip back into her mind as another seemingly endless waiting period began.

Becca was startled awake by the vibration emanating from her left hip pocket. Her Blackberry had been turned to vibrate and was beckoning her to answer. She rose slowly, taking Ian’s arm from around her and placing it on his chest.
    “Hello?” she answered in hushed tones.
    “Rebecca, I’m so glad I got a hold of you.”
    She sat herself down at the kitchen table, making sure Ian was still resting peacefully. “Sam. Sorry I didn’t get back to you last night.”
    “No problem at all. I was just inquiring after Mr. Holt. Will he be joining us today?”
    She noticed Ian had become conscious even after all her precautions and watched as he stretched up to his feet, sending her a smile as he saw she was on the phone. “Yes, he’ll be there. How’s your schedule today?”
    “Barring any other catastrophes, I’m at your disposal.”
    “You don’t have to do that you know. I think I can still find my way around that place – it’s kind of hard to forget. You haven’t restricted my clearance or anything have you?”
    “No, you should be just fine. You meet Emma at reception and then come on up. I just wish that I was able to tell you where she was, but you know how tricky those blood oaths are. They don‘t make them with any loopholes.”
    Becca raised an eyebrow at his comment. “A blood oath? She must really not want to be found.”
    Ian came and sat across from her at the table, still stretching and yawning.
    “I can’t say much, but I can make sure that you’re heading in the right direction. It’s the least I can do after all you’ve done for us.”
    “Well, we just woke up, so we’ll get dressed and head over.” Ian nodded in agreement.
    “I’ll have a fresh pot of that tea you love waiting.”
    “You’re too good to me.”
    “Only for you,” he replied, and she could hear the smile in his voice.
    “Be there soon.”
    “Looking forward to it.”
    Becca ended the call and looked up at Ian’s exhausted expression. “Mr. Fleming,” she stated, motioning to her phone.
    “I got that much. So, what do I need to wear today?”
    “Black on black – no tie. I think it’ll make a statement.”
    “What am I trying to say?”
    “Something like ‘Yes, I’m human, but I’ve got powerful friends, so don’t mess with me’.”
    His first smile of the day spread gloriously across his face. “I think I can handle that. Give me about ten minutes?”
    “Good, that will give me just enough time with a few minutes to spare,” she replied, and started towards the room she was supposed to sleep in.
    “Do I hear a challenge?”
    She turned back. “Are you up for it?”
    “You’re on.”
    He ran down the hall after her but she reached her room first, so he slowed. She hadn’t realized that the door hadn’t shut all the way, and as she stripped off her hoodie and tank top, Ian caught a glimpse of a large crescent shaped scar in the middle of Becca’s back. Just the sight of it brought on a wave of pain and he wondered what she had done to receive it. Was it in the line of duty? Was it something much darker than that?
    His mind was flooding with all the possibilities as he dressed and shaved. By the time he made it back to the kitchen, Becca was already dressed and seated back at the table. Her hair perfect, not a strand out of place as it flowed across her shoulders, and her royal blue shell top coupled with her black designer pant suit